Why Nuclear Weapons Are Tested Again And Again?

Operational readiness is one of the key requirements in strengthening nuclear deterrence. India’s posture ‘credible minimum deterrence’ is only strengthened when nuclear delivery systems can pose a credible threat to their adversaries.

Not only is it crucial to develop sophisticated delivery systems, but also crucial to ensure that these weapon systems are able to meet their expectations in times of crisis. Frequent trials ensure that the weapon system is ready to be inducted into the forces.

They also help a country understand where the weapon system lacks technologically so that should there be a need for improvisation, it can be taken heed of. While indigenously developed weapon systems undergo improvisation, those that need to be procured from foreign countries could be reconsidered. The aim to conduct such tests is to ensure that the weapon system is credible enough to strengthen deterrence.

• Debalina Ghoshal, Security Analyst wrote for Force Magazine

Edited by Shantanu K. Bansal